June 2010

CommuniCator

ThenationalcompetitionisheldinNewYork,wherepanelsofprestigiousmembersoftheartsandeducationcommunitiesjudgeentriesfortechnicalproficiency,originalityandemergenceofpersonalstyleorvision.Thejurors’choicesprovidefeedbacktoteachersaroundthecountryandhaveaprofoundeffectoncurriculaandteachers. Studentswhowinnationalawardsarecelebratedeachyearwithaseriesofhigh-profilenationalevents,includinganawardsceremonyinNewYorkandanexhibitioninWashingtonD.C. Peterschmidt’sportfolioisaseriesofwatercolorscalled“Animalocolypse.”Samplesareshownbelow.

lizabeth Peterschmidt, a senior at Wayzata High School, won a Silver Key award at the national level for her entire portfolio, following her Gold Key award at the Minnesota Scholastic Art

Awards competition.

EWHS student wins National

Scholastic Art Award

Thestudywillincludetwomajorphases.Thefirstphasewillfocusonthephysicalstructureofdistrictbuildings.Thisreviewprocesswillfocusontheinfrastructureofeachbuildingtodeterminerepairandrenovationprojects.Thetypeofprojectsincludedinthisfirstphasewillincludeairqualityimprovements,roofrepairandreplacement,parkinglotrepairs,windowandlightingreplacement,andotherstructural-relatedprojects.ThefirstphasebeganinearlyJuneandalistofrepairandmaintenanceprojectsshouldbecompiledlaterthissummer. Thesecondphaseofthestudywillexaminetheeducationaladequacyofdistrictbuildings.Inthisphase,thearchitectswillworkwithmanydistrictstaffmemberstodeterminehowfacilitiesmatchwiththeneedsofthedistrict’seducationalprogram.Oneexampleofthisworkwouldbeareviewofthescienceclassrooms.Thestudywillexaminethesciencecurriculumandhowithaschangedtoseeifthescienceclassroomsandfacilitiesneedtobeadjusted.Thesecondphaseofthestudywillalsoincludeareviewofnecessarychangestoimprovehandicappedaccessibilityandbuildingsafetyandsecurity.Facilityimprovementsthatwouldmakebuildingsmoreenergyefficientwillalsobeincludedinthisphase. ThedistrictisworkingwithWoldArchitects,aTwinCitiesbasedfirmthathasworkedwithseveralschooldistrictstoconductsimilarstudies.JimWestrum,thedistrict’sexecutivedirectoroffinanceandbusinessandJoeMatson,thedistrict’sdirectorofbuildingandgrounds,willleadtheprojectforthedistrictandwillbeworkingdirectlywiththearchitectfirm. Thearchitectswillalsohelpthedistricttoassessandanalyzethecurrentutilizationandcapacityofdistrictfacilities,andhelpdetermineanynecessaryadjustmentsneededtoaddressfutureenrollmentchanges.Whilefive-10yearenrollmentprojectionsdonotforecastanysignificantincreasesordeclinesinstudentenrollmentthatmightrequireachangeinthenumberofschoolsthedistrictoperates,itisstillproductivetoexaminefacilitiesfromautilizationandcapacityperspectivetoensurethegreatestefficiencyandeffectiveness.

ayzata Public Schools has begun the first phase of a comprehensive facilities study. The study will provide a thorough examination of the district’s existing facilities and provide insight into facility repair, maintenance and renovation needed for the future.

WDistrict begins comprehensive facilities study

FredRetzloffretiredfromthepositiononJune10,aftermorethan10yearswiththedistrict.WithsummerschoolandextendedyearprogramsbeginningonJune14,thedistrictcontractedwiththeCenterforEfficientSchoolOperations(CESO)onaninterimbasistocoordinatetransportationservices.TomBurr,whoservedasWayzata’stransportationsupervisorforseveralyearspriorto2000,isnowemployedbyCESOandwillleadthecoordinationefforts.Hewillbeassistedbythedistrict’stransportationofficestaffmembersandtwootherCESOconsultants.Thedistrict’stransportationofficecanbereachedat763-745-5197.

ue to the recent retirement of the district’s supervisor of transportation, Wayzata Public Schools has contracted with a local transportation company to coordinate its bus transportation services.

DChanges made to

district’s transportation coordination services

2

Wayzata Family Learning Center offers new opportunities

ThisfallWayzataFamilyLearningCenterislaunchingnewandexpandedopportuni-tiesforparentsandtheirchildrenagesbirth-to5-years-old.TheseexcitingoptionshavebeendesignedtoappealtonewfamiliesaswellasthosereturningtoEarly

ChildhoodFamilyEducationclasses. Innovativeclassformatshavebeenaddedtothecurrentfallschedule.Newparent/childclassesincludeanon-separatingdaytimeclassfor12-to24-month-oldchildren,andeveningclassesfor12-to24-month-oldchildrenand6-to11-month-oldchildren. AnotherexcitingadditionisParentingbyDesign,amulti-ageparent/childclass.Parentswillhelpcustomdesigntheirclassexperiencesfortheyear,includingabookstudy,speakerseries,andanexplorationofgreatandnotsogreatinternetsitesforparents. EveryclasswillincludeConnectingtheDots,activitiesdesignedtohelpparentsconnecttheirobservationsandchildren’sclassroomexperienceswithparentingdiscussiontime. Allparentswillhavetheoptiontoaccesstheirparenteducator’sonlinesiteforlinkstoreliableresourcesandadditionalinformationonclasstopicsandinterests.Insomeclasses,

parentswillevenbeabletodialoguewitheachotherandtheirparenteducatorduringtheweek. Theunique,irreplaceablecomponentsofECFEareasstrongaseverandinclude: •Parent/childtimeina“learn-and-connect-through-play”setting •Face-to-facetimewithotherparentsforencouragement,friendship,andrealitychecks •In-personsupportandeducationfromlicensedteachers. Asalways,programmingwillreinforcethebasicbuildingblocksofstrongfamilies,suchasrespect,trust,play,parentsasteachers,andhealthyrelationships. InformationonnewclassadditionswillbeonthewebsiteinJulywithaspecialmailingsentoutinAugustthatwillincludedetailson“EveningStars,”anewPeppermintFencePreschoolclassheldtwonightsaweek. Registrationforclassesalreadyscheduledforfallisongoing.Forinformationortoregisterforthoseclassesvisitwww.wayzata.k12.mn.us/cesandclick“Birthto5.”Severalparent-onlyseriesandworkshopsarealsoavailable.

?Morethan88percentofthestudentsin

theWayzataHighSchoolclassof2010aremakingplanstoattendtwoorfour

yearcollegesoruniversities.Thiscomparestoabout91percentfortheclassof2009. Thetotalnumberofstudentsinthegraduatingclasswas764.Thesummaryofpost-highschoolplansfortheclassof2010includesthefollowing: •UniversityofMinnesota,allcampuses –124students •Minnesotafour-yearstateuniversities–42students •Minnesotafour-yearprivatecolleges/universities –87students •Minnesotaone-andtwo-yearcolleges–67students •U.S.ServiceAcademies–1student •Out-of-statefour-yearpubliccolleges/universities –206students •Out-of-statefour-yearprivatecolleges/universities –113students •Out-of-stateone-andtwo-yearcolleges –8students •Collegebound,schoolundecided–31students •Totalcollegeboundstudents–679students

TheremainingWayzatastudentshaveindicatedthefollowingchoicesfortheirpost-highschoolplans: •Technicalschools–24students •Military–13students •Work–23students •Otherplans–25students Thetop10collegeschosenby2010Wayzata

graduatesaretheUniversityofMinnesota,TwinCitiescampus;UniversityofMinnesota,Duluth;UniversityofWisconsin,Madison;MinnesotaStateUniversity,Mankato;NormandaleCommunityCollege;NorthHennepinCommunityCollege;NorthDakotaStateUniversity;UniversityofSt.Thomas;UniversityofWis-consin,EauClaire;andUniversityofWisconsin,Stout.

Post graduation:

Where are WHS grads

headed

Wayzata High School Principal Mike Trewick congratulates senior Dyshone Brown as she accepts her di-ploma and steps down from the stage at the Target Center during the WHS class of 2010 commencement ceremony.

WHS student council vice president Lucy Andrews addresses the class of 2010 at its commencement ceremony held June 8 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

The Wayzata High School class of 2010 celebrates the end of their high school career and the start of their future plans with the traditional hat toss.

O neofthemostcloselymonitorednumbersinourschooldistrictisouroverall

studentenrollment.Watchingenrollmentnumbersduringthesummermonthsisespeciallyimportantasweprepareforthestartofanotherschoolyearinthefall. Predictingenrollmentisnotanexactscience.Weregularlyexamineenrollmenttrendsthatoccurineachofourschools.Wealsowatchwhatishappeningtostudentenrollmentinotherdistrictsandconductperiodicdemographicstudiestogetamorescientificlookathowourcommunityischanging.Further,westayinclosecontactwithcityofficialsfromthecitiesincludedinourdistricttolearnaboutplansfornewhousingdevelopments.Evenwithallofthismonitoringactivity,itisachallengetoaccuratelypredicthowmanystudentswillenrollinourdistrictandwheretheywilllivewithinthedistrict. Inthepastseveralyears,wehaveseenmoderateandmanageableincreasesinstudentenrollment.Muchofthisenrollmentgrowthhascomefromnewhomeconstructioninthenorthernpartofourdistrict.Duringthepastseveralmonths,wehavelearnedofmoreplannedhomeconstructioninthenorthernsectionsofourdistrictthatwilllikelyhaveanimpactonourdistrict’senrollment.Thisspring,welearnedthatthecityofMedinaisworkingonahousingdevelopmentthatwilladdabout200homestotheircommunitywithinourdistrict.ThecityofPlymouthisalsoplanningtoopenanumberofhousingdevelopmentsthatwilladdabout300newhomes.And,thecityofMapleGroveisopeningnewsectionsofsomeexistingdevelopmentsthatwilladdanumberofnewhomesaswell.Collectively,itispossiblethatinthenextthreetofiveyears,therecouldbeabout500-600newhomeswithintheschooldistrictboundaries.Inaddition,we

continuetoseedemandforandthesaleofexistinghomesinotherpartsofourdistrict;oftentimesresultinginyoungfamiliesmovingintohomeswhereschool-agedchildrenwerenolongerliving. Thenaturalquestionthatcomestomindwhenconsideringthissituationis:“Howwilltheschooldistrictaccommodatenewstudentenrollmentassociatedwiththisresidentialgrowth?”Firstofall,itisimportanttorememberthateveryhousedoesnotnecessarilyyieldstudentswhoattendourschools.Ourdemographerhelpsustodetermineformulastoestimatethenumberofstudentswhowilllikelycomefromaspecificnumberofhouses.Further,manyhousesthatarecurrentlyhometoschoolagechildreninthesenorthernareaswillbecome“emptynester”houses. Thedistrictistakingseveralstepstorespondtothisplannedhomeconstruction.First,wehaveaskedourdemographicconsultanttoupdatethedemographicstudythatwascompletedlastfall.Wefeltitwasimportanttogatherup-to-dateinformationonhowtheplannedhomeconstructionwillaffectourdistrict.Wewillhaveinformationavailablefromthereviseddemographicstudythissummer.Itisalsoimportanttonotethatthedistrictwillbeengagedinacomprehensivefacilitiesstudyduringthesummermonthsandintotheschoolyear.Thisstudywillhelpusdeterminethecurrentstatusofourfacilities.Further,itwillprovideimportantinformationaboutourcurrentcapacityandseektodiscovercreativesolutionsthatwillmaximizeourspaceutilizationefficiency. Mostofourschoolsareatornearcapacityandallgradelevelsareatorslightlyoverestablishedlevelsandasaresult,weacceptedarelativelysmallnumberofopenenrollmentstudentsforthe2010-2011schoolyear.Weexamineourabilitytoacceptopenenrollmentstudentsannuallyandmaybeabletotakemorestudentsinthefutureat

somegradelevelsandinsomebuildings.However,withcurrentenrollmentprojectedtobestableortoincreaseslightly,limitingthenumberofopenenrollmentstudentsisonewaytohelpmanagetheoverallstudentenrollment. Aswelookahead,itmaybenecessarytoconsideravarietyofoptionstohandlethispossibleenrollmentgrowth.Wewillreviewtheresultsofthedemographicandfacilitiesstudiesthatarecurrentlyunderwayandusethisinformationtohelpusdetermineappropriatenextsteps.Whiletheboardhasnotspecificallyconsideredortakenactiononanyoftheseoptions,possiblesolutionswouldinclude:adjustingopenenrollmentguidelines,constructingadditionalclassroomsatexistingschoolsites,usingportableclassroomsatschoolswithhigherenrollment,constructinganewschool,leasingorpurchasingexistingspaceinthecommunitytohousesomestudents,and/orrealigningattendanceboundaries.Further,itwillbeimportantforustoknowifenrollmentincreasesandfacilitychallengesareashorttermoralongtermchallenge.Knowingthiswillhelpusmakebetterdecisionsabouttheappropriateresponse.Asdecisionsaremade,anumberoffactorswillbeconsideredincluding:• Thedesiretokeepclasssizesatorneartheestablishedratios• Implementingcost-effectivewaysofaccommodatinggrowththatminimizetheimpactonlocaltaxpayers• Maintainingexcellenceinoureducationalprogramming Irealizethethoughtofsomeofthesechangescancausenervousnessinmanyparents;particularlyschoolboundarychanges.Whileitmaybenecessarytoexamineelementaryattendanceboundariesforfutureyears,nochangeswillbemade

forthe2010-2011schoolyear.Ifitisnecessarytomodifyattendanceboundariesasoneoftheoptionstomanageenrollmentgrowth,wewillshareinformationwithparentsasthatprocessbegins.Theprocessofmanagingstudentenrollmentcanbechallenging,butyoucanbeassuredthatwearecloselymonitoringthesituation.Asinthepast,wehopetomanageanyincreaseinstudentenrollmentwithaminimalamountofdisruption. Thiscommunicationisnotsentoutofconcern.Stableorgrowingstudentenrollmentisgenerallyagoodthingasithasapositiveimpactuponthefinancialhealthofaschooldistrict.Districtsthatareexperiencingdecliningenrollmenthavechallengesthatwedonothavewithourenrollmentsituation.Increasingenrollmentcomeswithsomechallengesbutitisalsoasignthatpeoplewanttoliveinourcommunity.Wehaveheardfromrealtorsandhousingcontractorsthatabigpartofthereasonfamiliesaremovingtothisareaisbecauseofthereputationandqualityoftheschooldistrict.Weappreciateeverythingthecommunityhasdonetohelpsupporttheschooldistrictandtohelpmakeitsuchagreatplaceforstudents.

I tisimpossibletohidefromtheuncertainfinancialnewscomingfromthestateofMinnesota.Thelasttwo

legislativesessionshavebeenfocusedonreducingthestate’sbudgetbymorethan$3billion.Thefutureoutlookisnotmuchbetter.Basedoncurrentinformation,thestateislookingatanotherbudgetdeficitforthebienniumbeginningJuly1,2011,ofbetween$4.6and$7billion.Manypartsofthestate’sbudgethavealreadyseensignificantcutsasaresultoftheselargedeficits. Theimpactofthestate’sbudgetsituationisdifferentinalldistricts.Themediahasregularlyreportedondistrictsthathavemadelargebudgetreductionsforthe2010-2011schoolyearandothersthathavemadecutsalmosteveryyearinthepastthree-fiveyears.Fortunately,Wayzataisinareasonablygoodpositionandhasbeenabletoweatherthecurrentfinancialchallengesbetterthanmanydistricts. However,ourdistricthasnotbeenunaffectedbythestate’sbudgetissues.Forthecoming2010-2011schoolyear,ourdistrictcutitsgeneralfundbudgetbyabout$1.1million.Noneofthesereductionswillaffectcurrentclasssizesorprogrammingfor

students.Asaboard,wearepleasedweareabletobalancethedistrict’sbudgetwithoutdirectlyaffectingthequalityofeducationprovidedtostudents. Ourdistrict’scurrentstrongfinancialhealthdidnothappenovernight.Manyindividualsandgroupscontributedtothiseffort.Pastboardmembersandadministratorswereproactiveinbudgetplanningandthoughtaboutfutureproblemsmanyyearsago.Theirforesightishavingatremendouspayoffnow.Becauseofbudgetplanningthatoccurredmanyyearsago–andcontinuestoday–ourdistrictisbetterabletonavigatethroughchallengingfinancialtimes. Districtemployeeshavealsoplayedaroleinmaintainingthedistrict’sfinancialhealth.Forthepastseveralyears,thedistricthasworkedcloselywithemployeegroupstomanagethecostofemployeehealthinsurance.Thesecollaborativeeffortshaveallowedthedistricttomoreeffectivelymanagecostsatatimewhenmanyotherdistrictshaveseenlargerincreasesinhealthinsurancecosts. Creditforthedistrict’sfinancialhealthalsogoestotheCitizensFinancialAdvisoryCommittee(CFAC).Thiscommitteeis

chairedbytheboardtreasurerandiscomposedofparentsandcommunitymemberswithspecificexpertiseinfinance-relatedissues.Thecommitteemeetsmonthlytoreceiveupdatesandadvisethedistrictonfinancialmatters.Overtheyears,thecommitteehasplayedakeyroleinhelpingtomanagethedistrict’sfinancialcondition.Theexpertiseofthemanymemberswhohaveservedonthecommitteehasbeeninfinitelybeneficial. Thedistrict’sparentorganizationsandmanyboosterclubshavealsomadeahugedifferenceinthedistrict’sfinancialhealth.Thecommitmentanddedicationofthesegroupshavebroughtresourcesintothedistrictthatotherwisewouldhavebeendifficulttosecure.Thehighlevelofvolunteerisminthedistrictallowsustoaccomplishthingsthatcouldneverbedonewithoutsuchhelp.Ourmanyactivevolunteersandparentsupportersarealsoterrificpartnersandregularlysharetheirinputandfeedbackthathelpsguidethedistrict.

ThereisnoquestionthattoughtimeswillcontinueforMinnesotaschooldistricts.Thereisalsonoquestionthatourdistrictisinagoodpositionbecauseofalltheworkanddedicationfrompastleadersandourmanycommunitypartners.Wealloweagreatdealofgratitudetothosewhoworkedinthepastwiththefutureofourdistrictinmind.Thecommunity’scommitmenttoourdistrictisgreatlyappreciated.

District’s strong financial health helps navigate uncertain state funding

Housing construction, sales monitored for impact on student enrollment

“The process of managing student enrollment can be

challenging, but you can be assured that we are closely

monitoring the situation.”

—Chace Anderson, Superintendent

Superintendent’s Column

“Fortunately, Wayzata is in a

reasonably good position and

has been able to weather the current financial challenges

better than many districts.”

—Carter PetersonBoard Chair

Board Chair’sColumn

Columns 3

4

Morethan700peopleattendedthe2010EmptyBowlseventatWayzata

HighSchoolMay20andtheeventraisedmorethan$8,000. AllproceedsfromtheEmptyBowlseventbenefitInterfaithOutreachandCommunityPartners.Students,alumni,districtadministratorsandlocalcityofficialsworkedwithdonatedclaythroughouttheyeartocraftapproximately1,000bowlstosellattheeventforthesuggesteddonationof$10.Withadonation,participantsselectedoneofthehand-madebowlstobefilledwithsoup. Thisyear,sponsorsoftheeventincludedAllegraPrintandImaging,AtLastGourmetFoods/DunnBorthers,Breadsmith,CaribouCoffee,GeneralMills,MinnetonkaCenterfortheArtsandcontributingartists,MinnesotaClay,Noodles,OliveGarden,Sunset’sofWayzata,UniversityofNorthDakotaArtDepartment,WHSpotterystudents,theirfamiliesandfriends,WHSpotteryalumniandtheWayzataBarandGrill.

New record set for fundraising at WHS Empty Bowls event

Wayzata High School’s annual Empty Bowls event raised more than $8,000 this year to help Interfaith Outreach and Com-munity Partners fight hunger in the Twin Cities. Students, staff, parents and residents celebrated the evening together with donated soup, bread and art bowls.

ErinKrause,asenioratWayzataHighSchool,wonthe2010AthenaAward.TheAthenaAward

isgiventoanoutstandingfemaleseniorathletebasedonexcellenceinindividualsportsorforparticipationandaccomplishmentsinteamsports. Krause,whileontheWHStrackandfieldteam,wascaptainin2010;earnedsecondplaceatstatein2009inthe800meterrace;two-timeall-stateawardwinnerin2009and2007;three-timeacademicall-stateawardwinnerin2009,2008and2007;two-timeall-conferenceawardwinnerin2009and2008;two-timesectionchampionin2009and2007;three-timevarsityletterwinnerin2009,2008and2007;wonthe“AboveandBeyond”awardin2009;wonthestateteamchampion-shipin2007;wonsecondplaceatstateinthe4X800meterrelayin2007;andpostedtheschoolrecordinthe4x800meterrelayin2007. WhileontheWHSsoccerteam,she

wasonthestatechampionshipteamin2009;amemberofthetwo-timesectionchampionteamin2009and2008;aone-yearvarsitystarterin2009;atwo-timevarsityletterwinnerin2009and2008;andonthestatethirdplaceteamin2008. WhileontheWHSbasketballteam,shewasonthestate’sfourthplaceteamandsectionchampionteamin2010;receivedanall-conferencehonorablementionin2010;wascaptainoftheteamin2010;aone-yearvarsitystarterin2010;aone-yearvarsityletterwin-nerin2010;namedthemostimprovedplayerin2009;andearnedtheexcep-tionalleaderawardin2008. WhileontheWHScrosscountryteam,Krausewasaone-yearvarsityletterwinnerin2006. Academically,KrausewasintheNationalHonorSocietyin2010and2009.SheplanstoruntrackandfieldonascholarshipattheUniversityofWisconsinatMadisonnextyear.

WHS senior wins 2010 Athena Award

Thisyear,eightWayzataHighSchoolstudentsplacedwellattheSkillsUSAcompetition. Thesestudentsinclude:

•CameronBerryPackel,senior,secondplaceinTV/Videoproduction •ZachVanHeel,senior,firstplaceinTV/Videoproduction •ChrisMetzger,senior,firstplaceinfirefighting •GabeMianulli,junior,secondplaceinTV/Videoproduction •AndreaCaflisch,sophomore,thirdplaceinculinaryarts •BenLeighton,sophomore,thirdplaceinTV/Videoproduction

•KelanMcQuinn,sophomore,firstplaceinTV/Videoproduction •KayleighMcKee,freshman,thirdplaceinTV/Videoproduction TheSkillsUSAadvisorsforWHSstudentsareJeanZimmermanandMatthewMcNiel.SkillsUSAisanationwideorganizationservingmorethan248,000highschoolandcollegestudentsandprofessionalmemberswhoareenrolledintechnical,skilled,serviceandhealthoccupationtrainingprograms.SkillsUSApreparesAmerica’shighperformanceworkersandprovidesexperiencesforstudentsinleadership,teamwork,citizenshipandcharacterdevelopment.

WHS students take top places at SkillsUSA competition

2010 WHS senior Erin Krause was congratulated by school board mem-ber Sue Droegemueller at the board’s May 10 regular meeting for her accomplishments in academics and athletics that earned her the 2010 Athena Award.

Several Wayzata High School students who participated and earned top awards in the 2010 SkillsUSA competition attended the May 10 regular school board meeting and were recog-nized for their accomplishments this year.

S amanthaCarter,aseniorintheclassof2011atWayzataHighSchool,earnedaperfectscoreof36ontheACTexam. Carterpreparedfortheexambytakingitineighthgradetobecomemorefamiliar

withthetest.ShetooktheACTexamagainearlyinherjunioryearandearneda34.Wantingtoimprovehersciencescoreontheexam,CartertooksomepracticesciencetestsandearnedaperfectscoreontheApril2010ACTexam. Shesaidhernormalclasswork,AdvancedPlacementcalculus,APU.S.historyandAPcompositionalsohelpedprepareherfortheACT.ShesaidherAPcompo-

sitionclassreallyhelpedwiththereadingexambecauseoftheextensiveliteraryanalysisintheclass. ShealsosaidhavinganintegratedmathsystematWHSalsohelpedherbecauseshedidn’thavetothinkbacktowhenshehadaspecificclasswhenansweringquestionsonthetest. DuringhertimeatWHS,Carterhasbeeninvolvedwiththeswimteam,choirandisintheNationalHonorSociety.ShealsoteachesSundayschoolatMountOlivet. ShehasplanstoearnaliberalartsdegreewithafocusincommunicationsorpoliticalscienceandhertopthreechoicesforherfutureeducationareCornell,ColumbiaandYale.

5WHS student earns perfect scores on ACT

TheWestMiddleSchoolsixthgradeKnowledgeMasterOpenTeam(KMO)tooksecondplaceinMinnesotainthespringcompetition.

TheteamiscoachedbyWMSVision21teacherJulieLightandincludes:DrewAllen,EmmaBaldry,GriffenCaryotakis,JosephChen,CarterFallen,AndyGabler,CodyGoedderz,StewartHagen,PoojaKandikonda,MarkMoses,LoganSands,EvanSands,EmilyShort,PeterValerius,JackWillisandMaxZimmer.

WMS KMO takes second in spring competition

WayzataHighSchoolActivitiesDirectorJaimeSherwoodwasnamedthe2009-10MinnesotaAthleticAdministratoroftheYearforClassAAschools. SherwoodhasbeentheactivitiesdirectorforWayzata

HighSchoolforthelast14years.PriortohispositionatWHS,hetaughthighschoolfornineyears,wasanassociatehighschoolprincipalforoneyear,ahighschoolandcollegefootballcoachfor20years,asoftballcoachfor14yearsandahighschoolgirls’basketballcoachforeightyears. SherwoodhasanundergraduatedegreeinbusinessadministrationfromtheUniversityofWisconsin,RiverFalls,aMasterofArtsdegreefromtheUniversityofSt.Thomas,aspecialistdegreeinsecondaryadministrationandalicenseinsecondaryadministration.Heearnedhiscertifiedmasterathleticadministratorcredentialsin2005.

WHS activities director named 2010 Class AA Athletic Administrator of the Year

FourteenWayzataHighSchoolstudentsplacedwellintheBusinessProfessionalsofAmericacompeti-tionthisyear.

Thefollowingstudentsqualifiedfornationalsintheireventatthestatecompetition: •RichmondUong,senior,firstplaceinPCServicingandTroubleshooting •MicahelLi,EddieChenandLeonaChao(team)juniors,thirdplaceinEconomicResearchProject •AakashDeshpande,junior,secondplaceinC++pro-gramming •RoyZhao,freshman,thirdplaceinC++programming •MaxRadermacher,sophomore,firstplaceinJAVAprogrammingandfirstplaceinInformationTechnologyConcepts •CharlieWusands,junior,secondplaceinJAVApro-gramming •BradleyBebchuk,senior,thirdplaceinVB.Net(VisualBasic)programming •JiaqiLi,senior,thirdplaceinManagement,MarketingandHumanRelations •Richard(Yubo)Lu,junior,firstplaceinInsuranceConcepts •MaxRadermacher,MitchCroalandEmmaKatz(team)sophomores,secondplaceinWebApplication •BrianTu,junior,thirdplaceinFinancialMathAnalysis ThestudentsareadvisedbyWHSteachersCandyLeeandTylerShepard.BusinessProfessionalsofAmericaisanationalorganizationforhighschoolandcollegestudentspreparingforcareersinbusinessandofficeoccupationsandprovidesnetworkingopportunitiesamongeducation,businessandindustryandcontributestothepreparationofaworld-classworkforcethroughtheadvancementofleadership,citizenship,academicandtechnologicalskills.

14 WHS students place well in BPA

competition

SevenWayzataHighSchoolstudentsplacedwellinthe2010FutureProblemSolverscompetition.

Thefollowingstudentsearnedtopplacesinthestatecompetion: •KellyChen,junior,thirdplaceintheSeniorDivisionOralCompetition •ChristinaGu,freshman,third

placeintheMiddleDivisionWrittenCompetition •LauraHolder,junior,thirdplaceintheSeniorDivisionOralCompetition •JennyLai,freshman,thirdplaceintheMiddleDivisionWrittenCompetition •JulieLai,junior,secondplaceintheSeniorDivisionOralCompetition

•AmyXiong,freshman,thirdplaceintheMiddleDivisionWrittenCompetition •ZacharyYan,freshman,thirdplaceintheMiddleDivisionWrittenCompetition ThestudentsareadvisedbyWHSteacherJonathanHonza.

WHS students place well in Future Problem Solvers competition

WHS students who placed well in the 2010 Future Problem Solvers competition were recognized by the school board at its May 10 regular meeting and are shown pictured with school board treasurer Linda Cohen, far right.

6

TheWayzataHighSchoolsynchronizedswimteamwonitsfourthconsecutivestatechampionshiponMay28.

Theteamplacedfirstin10ofthe15eventsandscoredameethigh151points.ThisisthefirstteaminWayzataHighSchool’shistorytowinfourconsecutivestatechampionshiptitles. Inadditiontotheteamvictory,severalindividualfirst-placeawardswereearnedbyWHSswimmersincluding: •KatrinReeandHaleyRuegemer–Firstplaceinshortduet •HaleyRuegemer–Firstplaceinshortfigures •AleseHalvorson–Firstplaceinlongfigures •AmandaUrke–Firstplaceinshortsolo •KatrinRee,HaleyRuegemerandAmandaUrke–Firstplaceinshorttrio •AshleyGilles,RileyManganandRuthSchaefer–Firstplaceinlongtrio •NatalieBodin,CaylaEbertandAleseHalvorson–Firstplaceinextendedtrio •AmyErickson,NicoleKullback,RileyMangan,KatrinRee,HaleyRuegemer,AmandaUrkeandHannaWeas–Firstplaceinshortteam •AliEull,AshleyGilles,RileyMangan,KatelynOsmek,RuthSchaefer,SamanthaSnidarichandEricaWeimer–Firstplaceinlongteam

•AlexandraAlviani,NatalieBodin,CaylaEbert,AleseHalvorson,PaigeMuncy,KjirstenReeLaurelStreedandTaraWilliams–Firstplaceextendedteam SixstudentswerealsonamedAll-StateathletesandincludejuniorsNatalieBodin,CaylaEbertandAleseHalvorson;sophomoreLaurelStreed;andfreshmenPaigeMuncyandKjirstenRee. TeammembersoftheWHSsynchronizedswimteamincludethefollowing:SeniorsAshleyGillesandAllisonJahn;juniorsAlexAlviani,NatalieBodin,LarissaBorg,CaylaEbert,AliEull,AleseHalvorson,BeccaHunkins,KatieKemmitt,RileyMangan,MackenzieNeal,Bao-HanTong,KatelynOsmek,ErikaWeimerandTaraWilliams;sophomoresJennyCaffoe,NickyKullback,MariBethPaese,KathleenPoppendeck,LaurelStreedandBrookeYlitalo;freshmenEmilyAbe,TatianaDemeneghi,MorganFoote,MaraHalvorson,MeganHe,BeckyLiu,GillyMangan,PaigeMuncy,KjirstenRee,RuthSchaeferandSammieSnidarich;eighthgradersLydiaBoike,KaitlynHaller,BreannaJohnson,TrishaMorrison,EmilyTurnquistandSophieZhang;seventhgradersAmyErickson,MetaNagel,LizzyPate,KatrinRee,HaleyRuegemer,AmandaUrkeandHannahWeas. TheteamiscoachedbyheadcoachSigneHenselandassistantcoachesAliBodin,BeccaCorness,RachelHoffart,EllenMetsker,AndreaPriceandAnnRushfeldt.

WHS synchronized swim team wins fourth consecutive state championship

FourDestinationImagiNationteamsfromWayzataPublicSchoolscompetedattheGlobalCompetitionheldinKnoxville,TennesseeonMay26-29.

ThefourteamsthatcompetedattheGlobalCompetitionwere: •TheJK’s(fifthgrade)fromGreenwoodElementaryplaced21outof59–TeammembersareKateBernhardt,KatieErdahl,JacobHoffner,JackStetlerandKiraStetler;teammanagersareAngelaBernhardtandJayErdahl •D.I.namites(fourthandfifthgrade)fromOakwoodElementaryplaced18outof62–TeammembersareSimranChugani,KyleEckman,FrankFetrow,HannahHagen,IsaacPolum,MadelineTapperandLucasWaskosky;teammanagersareHollyTapperandKristinTollison •TheImperiumoftheLlamas(fifthandsixthgrade)fromEastMiddleSchoolandSunsetHillElementarySchoolplaced34outof69–TeammembersareShelbyDiesen,NiklasSkar,GunnarWallingaandRebeccaWallinga;teammanagersareDerekDiesen,TracySkarandSueWallinga •PsychedelicHippieKaleidoscopes(sixthandseventhgrade)fromCentralMiddleSchoolplaced17outof68–TeammembersareJustinGreenberg,MichaelGreer,MaiaMiller,DavidMo,AbbyTrouthandLeightonZhao;teammanagersareRobbGreenbergandDianeMiller

Four Destination ImagiNation teams competed at Globals

Legislative decisions to have impact on districtWhilefundingforK-12educationwasnotreducedbythe2010Legislature,Wayzata

PublicSchoolsandotherdistrictswillbeaffectedbyrecentlegislativedecisions. Themostsignificantpartofthe2010legislativesessionwastheagreementto

balancethestate’sbudgetbyaddressingthe$3billionbudgetdeficit.Thebudgetbalancingagree-mentincludedpropertytaxrecognitionandaidpaymentshiftsthatwillaffectschools.Thedetailsandimpactoftheseshiftsaredescribedbelow.

Property tax recognition shift Propertytaxesareleviedonacalendaryear(JanuarytoDecember)andcollectedbythecountyandtransferredtodistrictsinMayandOctober.However,schooldistrictsoperateonafiscalyearthatrunsJulytoJune.ThepropertytaxesreceivedinMayrepresentrevenueforthenextfiscalyear.ThepropertytaxrecognitionshiftisatoolthatrequiresdistrictstorecognizeaportionoftheMaytaxpaymentswhentheyarereceivedeventhoughtheyareintendedtofundthenextfiscalyear.Thestatethenreducestheirpaymenttodistrictsbytheequivalentamount.Thisstrategyissimilartotheaidpaymentshiftinthatitallowsthestatetodelaypaymentstodistrictswithoutreducingtherevenuethedistrictreceives.Thechangeisinwhentherevenueisrecognized.The2010legislatureimplementedthepropertytaxrecognitionshiftat48.6percent.

Aid payment shift Priortothe2009-10schoolyear,statelawcalledforschooldistrictstoreceive90percentofstatefundinginthecurrentfiscalyearandtheremaining10percentinthenextfiscalyear.Thereasonbehindthis90-10splitistobasethefinalpaymenttodistrictsontheactualstudentenroll-mentcount.The2010legislaturechangedthe90-10splittoa73-27splitforthe2009-10schoolyear;a70-30splitforthe2010-11schoolyear;andareturntothe90-10splitfor2011-12and

beyond.Insimplestterms,theaidpaymentshiftmeansthestate“borrows”moneyfromschooldistrictsforashorttermbywithholdingaportionofaidpaymentsuntilthestartofthenextfiscalyear.Thischangeaffectsthecash-flowthatdistrictshaveavailableuntilthepaymentsaremadebythestate. Oneofthedistrict’shighestprioritiesforthe2010legislativesessionwastoreceiveapprovaltoparticipateinthestate’salternativefacilitiesprogram.Theprogramallowsqualifyingdistrictstoraisefundsthroughlocalleviesandbondstocoverthecostofcertainbuildingmaintenanceandrepairprojects.Qualificationfortheprogramisbasedonadistrict’ssquarefootageofbuildingspaceandtheaverageageofbuildingspace.Wayzataissettoqualifyfortheprograminaboutfiveyearsandwasseekingtoqualifyearlyfortheprogram.ThisprovisionwasincludedinthefinaleducationbillthatwasapprovedbytheSenate,butthebilldidnotgetheardintheHousebeforethespecialsessionended.Thedistrictwillagainworkwithlocallegislatorsduringthe2011legislativesessiontogetthisprovisionapproved. TheothersignificantlegislativeprovisionthatwillaffectWayzataPublicSchoolsincludedchangesinpensioncontributions.FortheTeachersRetirementAssociation(TRA),memberandemployercontributionrates,whicharecurrently5.5percent,willincreaseby0.5percentannuallyoverafour-yearperiodbeginningJuly1,2011.OnJuly1,2014,thememberandemployerratewillbothbe7.5percent.ForthePublicEmployeesRetirementAssociation(PERA),memberandemployercontributionrateswillincreaseby0.25percent,effectiveJanuary1,2011.Thechangeincontributionrateswillincreasethedistrict’scontributionbymorethan$250,000eachyearwithafour-yearimpactofmorethan$1million.

WHS business instructor honored with 2010 Larson Financial Literacy Award

WayzataHighSchoolbusinessinstructorCandyLeewashonoredwiththe2010LarsonFinancialLiteracyAwardforusageofBestPrep’sprogramsto

educateMinnesotastudentsaboutbusiness,careerandfinancialliteracyskills. Leewasrecognizedforherpassionforhelpingstudentstounderstandmoneymanagement,personalfinance,andlong-termsavingandinvesting.SheutilizesallofBestPrep’sprogramstoincreasethefinancialliteracyofherstudents.SheisalsoinvolvedintheJump$tartCoalitionforPersonalFinancialLiteracy.Hercommitmentisunsurpassed,andthefieldoffinancialeducationhasbeenenhancedbyherefforts. “ByutilizingBestPrep’sresourcesintheclassroom,mystudentshaveprofitedfrom‘realworld’experiences.Alloftheprogramshavegivenmystudentsessentialskillsthattheywillusethrough-outtheirlives.Thereisnogreaterpartnershipthanthatbetweeneducationandthebusinesscommunity.Sothankyou,BestPrep,formakingthispossibleformeandmystudents,”saidLee. LeereceivedtheLarsonAwardatBestPrep’s34thAnnualLun-cheon,heldMay19attheNicolletIslandInnPavilion.BestPrepoffersfiveinnovativeprogramstoeducatorsandstudentsacrossMin-nesota;ClassroomPlus,eMentors,MinnesotaBusinessVenture,TheStockMarketGame™andtheTechnologyIntegrationWorkshop.

WHS teacher Candy Lee was honored with the 2010 Larson Financial Literacy Award.

WHS junior Alese Halvorson is lifted out of the water during the team’s extended trio event.

In Brief

WayzataPublicSchoolsislookingforpotty-trained3-,4-,or5-year-oldstoparticipateintheTrojanTotsprogramtaughtbychilddevelopmentandparentingIIstudentsatWayzataHighSchool. DatesandtimesareSeptember20throughNovember4from9:30a.m.tonoononMonday,TuesdayandThursday.TherewillbenoschoolonThursday,October21. Forregistrationmaterialsormoreinformation,contactMiriamLejonvarnat763-745-6884orbyemailatmiriam.lejonvarn@wayzata.k12.mn.us.Thenew-childregistrationformisalsoavailableforparentstocompleteonthedistrict’swebsiteatwww.wayzata.k12.mn.us.

Trojan Tots Registration open for fall 2010

TheWayzataPublicSchoolsEducationFoundation(WPSEF)isrenewingits“FromExcellenttoExceptional”grantprogramforthe2010-11schoolyear. Thisprogramfundssmallprojectsthatextendtheregularcurriculumincollabora-tiveandinnovativewaysandawardsupto$10,000tostaffmembersthatdevelopandsubmitprojects.AllWayzataPublicSchoolsstaffareinvitedtospendtimethissummerdevelopinginnovativelearningopportuni-tiesthatarenotpossiblewithintheregularfundingsystem.TheWPSEFwillacceptapplicationsbeginninginSeptember.Sub-missionsaredueNovember1andsuccessfulapplicantswillbenotifiedinJanuary2011withfundsavailableinFebruary2011. Formoreinformationortoviewpreviousgrantawardwinners,visitwww.wpsef.org.

WPSEF grant program renewed for 2010-11

WayzataPublicSchools’yellow“ChangeofEnrollmentNotification”cardswillnolongerbesenthomewithstudentsthisyearandinstead,theformshouldbefilledoutonthedistrict’swebsiteatwww.wayzata.k12.mn.us. Thedistrict’sChangeofEnrollmentNotificationformshouldbefilledoutbyfamiliesmovingoutofthedistrict,mov-ingtoanotheraddressinthedistrictornotattendingWayzataPublicSchoolsforanyreasoninthe2010-11schoolyear. Tofillouttheformonline,visitthedistrict’swebsiteandclickontheChangeofEnrollmentNotificationbadgeontherightsideofthepage.

Change of enrollment notification needs to be

completed online

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The2010TwinWestChamberofCommerceFoundationScholarshipAwardswereannouncedand21

studentsfromWayzataHighSchoolwererecipientsofarangeofscholarships,includingthelargestannualscholarshipfromthefoundation,theLegacyScholarship. ZachSperry,asenioratWHSwasawardedthe$5,000LegacyScholarshipfor2010.HewassurprisedduringschoolwithavisitandcheckfromrepresentativesoftheTwinWestChamberofCommerceonApril20. Sperrystoodoutinallareasasthescholarshipcommitteereviewedapplications.Hisacademicachievementwasatthetopof

theclass.Hedisplayedleadership,skillanddepthinhisextracurricularactivitiesandhiscommitmentandleadershipinvolunteeringwasexceptional.Hisemploymentexperienceshowedmaturity,effortandfocustowardhishighereducationalgoals,accordingtothecommittee. SperryplanstoattendtheUniversityofMinnesotainthefall.HehasbeenacceptedintothehonorsprogramwiththeCollegeofScienceandEngineeringwherehewillpursueadegreeinbiomedicalengineering. AlsowinningscholarshipsfromtheTwinWestChamberofCommercewereseniorsSarahBirkholz,LeslieByun,Denise

Chen,KatherineChristopherson,AngelaDeeny,MackenzieFallt,KelseyGrinde,JohnHaugland,AustinHermann,JaneKim,AndrewKleven,JoyceLiu,ArkajitMandal,JenniferNordstrom,MeredithRies,ParthShah,JohanniThunstrom,MelissaWoo,RobynZeidlerandErinZwick. TheTwinWestChamberofCommerceFoundationhonoredits2010scholarshipawardrecipientsalongwithparentsandeducatorsatitsannualcollegescholarshipawardsreceptioninMayattheDoubleTreeHotelMinneapolisParkPlaceinSt.LouisPark.

21 WHS students awarded TwinWest scholarships

Class of 2010 Wayzata High School senior Zach Sperry, received the 2010 Legacy Scholarship from the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce at a surprise presentation in April.

The2009-10CareerTeacherAwardrecipientswerehonoredwithaceremonyheldApril21atCentralMiddleSchool. CareerTeacherHonoreesfor2009-10areJillBowman-

Cashman,musicteacheratWestMiddleSchool;RondaGjestvang,kindergartenteacheratKimberlyLaneElementary;NancyNeal,

engineeringtechnologyanddesignteacheratCentralMiddleSchool;ChipWilliams,musicteacheratWayzataHighSchool;andposthumouslySuzanneGraft,secondgradeteacheratOakwoodElementarySchool;andJillStoll,artteacheratWHS.

2009-10 Career Teacher Award recipients honored

The 2009-10 Career Teacher Award recipients were honored at a cermony in April and include: from the left, Chip Williams, Ronda Gjestvang, Jill Bowman-Cashman and Nancy Neal. Teachers honored posthumously were Suzanne Graft and Jill Stoll.

BradGustafson,currentlytheprincipalatTracyAreaElementarySchoolinTracy,Minnesota,wasappointedasthenewprincipalofGreenwoodElementarySchool.GustafsonreplacesGinnyClarkwhowillretireattheendofJune. GustafsonstartedhiscareerasasecondgradeteacherfortheNorthBranchSchools.HereceivedhisbachelorofsciencedegreeandmasterofsciencedegreefromSt.CloudStateUniversityandhiseducationspecialistdegreefromMinnesotaStateUniversityatMankato.

New principal of Greenwood Elementary appointed

Three WHS students named Scholars of Distinction

WayzataHighSchoolseniorAngelaSandallandjuniorsAnnaHashizumeandLawrenceWang,werenamedMinnesotaScholarsofDistinction.

MinnesotaEducationCommissionerAliceSeagrenhonored34highschoolstudentsfromMinnesotafortheirachievementintheMinnesotaScholarsofDistinctionprogram,whichencourageshighschoolstudentstoperformathighlyrigorouslevelsinfivespecificacademicareasandrewardstheirdepthofknowledgeandskillinapplication. TheprogramwasdevelopedbytheMinnesotaDepartmentof

Educationthroughapartnershipwithprofessionalsandeducatorswithexpertiseineachspecialtyarea. SandallwasnamedascholarofdistinctioninMeritoriousPerformanceTheaterArtsfortheproject“DynamicsofDrama,”HashizumewasnamedascholarofdistinctioninMeritoriousPerformanceTheaterArtsfortheproject“PoeticImaginationinTheater,”andWangwasnamedascholarofdistinctioninSciencefortheproject“TheRoleofBileAcidsinKidneyCryopreserva-tion.”

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Second grade students at Gleason Lake Elementary School performed their “Wackadoo Zoo” for their annual musical on May 6. The musi-cal features animals that make the wrong sounds. A group of specialists are sent in to to sort out the mess. Can you say “Cute”?

‘Wackadoo Zoo’CommuniCator

June 2010

Employees of the MonthThree employees have been recognized as Employees of the Month since the previous edition of the Communicator.They are:•April 2010 — Cheryl Burdick, fourth grade teacher at Sunset Hill Elementary• May 2010 — Erika Sterling, special services teacher at Greenwood Elementary• June 2010 — Carmen Block, kindergarten teacher at Birchview Elementary

WhetheryouareaWayzatastudent,analumnus,alocalbusinessperson,parent,grandparent,orafanoftheWayzataPublicSchools,youare

invitedtojointheWayzataPublicSchoolsFacebookpage. TheWPSFacebookpageprovidesfriendsofthedistrictwithanopportunitytostayintouchwithwhat’shappeninginthedistrictwithnewspostsandeventlistings,connectwithalumniandstaffthatparticipateonthesiteandshareindialogueaboutthefutureofeducationinWayzataPublicSchools. Tobecomeafan,visitwww.facebook.comandsearchforWayzataPublicSchools.

WPS launches Facebook fan page

EightWayzataHighSchoolstudentsplacedwellatthestateandinternationalDECAcompetition.Thefollowingstudentsplacedwellattheinternational

competitionheldApril24-28inLouisville,Kentucky: •BridgetEide,senior,DECAofficerandinternationalcompetitorinSchoolBasedEnterpriseandHotelandLodgingManagement •JennaGove,junior,internationalcompetitorinQuickServiceRestaurantManagement •LoganKirst,senior,DECAofficerandinternationalcompetitorinHotelandLodgingManagement •IbtesamMujir,senior,internationalcompetitorinAutomotiveServices

•MargaritaShibko,senior,DECAofficerandinternationalcompetitorinSchoolBasedEnterprise •AlexSniderich,junior,DECAofficerandinternationalcompetitorinHospitalityServicesTeamDecisionMaking •RobWeaver,junior,DECAofficerandinternationalcompetitorinHospitalityServicesTeamDecisionMaking •MalloryWilkerson,senior,DECAofficerandinternationalcompetitorinSchoolBasedEnterprise DECA,anassociationofmarketingstudents,providesstudentsmarketing-relatedandleadership-developmentactivitiesthatenhanceclassroomstudytowardcareersinmarketing,managementandentrepreneurship.ThestudentsareadvisedbyWHSteachersDavidChvojicekandSaraHeeg.

WHS students place well in DECA competition

Wayzata High School DECA participants were honored by the school board at its May 10 regular meeting for their accomplishments at the international competition.